ABOUT THE PROJECT

Purpose: Assisted living complex for seniors who need help with daily activities

An assisted-living complex for senior citizens will open in Riverside, despite neighbors’ concerns.

The two-story facility, which will include 85 units, will be on the old site of the Riverside Swim and Tennis Club at the northwest corner of Glenhaven Avenue and Alessandro Boulevard. It could open in fall 2017. The former club would be demolished to make way for the project.

The Riverside City Council late Tuesday, May 3, approved plans for the complex on a 4-3 vote.

More than a dozen neighbors spoke against the proposal, saying it would create too much traffic, noise, air pollution, odors, parking and other problems and is too large for a quiet residential area. A smaller number of speakers were in favor.

“God knows we need senior living enhanced in Riverside,” said Joan Semonella, who lives nearby. “This project on this site is not the answer.”

Ronald McCaskill, who lives next to the property, said the building would be too close to the street and residents on the second floor would be able to see inside neighbors’ homes.

Soubirous, whose ward includes the neighborhood, said he opposed the project because his constituents didn’t want it.

City officials say the developer has taken steps to reduce any potentially harmful effects and the project meets city codes and would be allowed at that location. The property is at a lower elevation than surrounding homes and trees would shield neighbors from the building, officials say.

Jeff Moody, construction manager for the developer and a neighborhood resident, said opponents’ fears are overblown.

“I’m not building a frat house for seniors,” Moody said. “I’m not building a hospital. They’re beautiful homes.”

Oakmont Senior Living, a Northern California-based company with more than 40 senior living homes around the state including Upland, Chino Hills and Palm Desert, plans to develop the complex and run the home. The 87,953-square-foot building would have up to 103 beds for seniors who can live semi-independently but need assistance with daily activities.

Residents could get help taking their medication. A doctor would be at the home, which would have 27 units in a separate area for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Most residents would be in their early- to mid-80s when they move in, a city report stated.

The project will include dining rooms, a cafe, entertainment and activity rooms, beauty salon, library, outdoor courtyard, fitness center and a movie theater.

It would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have up to 30 employees during morning and afternoon hours.

Mac Arthur said an assisting-living project is better than other types of housing that could be built on the property.

“You could end up with a sober living home next to you,” he said. “I think this is a good development.”

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